Christian von Preysing
Former Webb County commissioner for Precinct One, Mike Montemayor made his final appearance in court for sentencing on Monday, following a lengthy FBI investigation.
He tells us what it is, and what the county says about the decision.
Former Webb County Commissioner Mike Montemayor answered Monday for 12 instances of bribery, starting before his term in office.
Prosecutors say he received a total $123,000 in cash and gifts for votes and official support.
Without a word, nearly a year after his arrest, Mike Montemayor surrounded by family entered the Laredo Federal Courthouse Monday to receive his sentence.
Montemayor pleaded guilty to the charges last June. Inside the courtroom Monday the defense admitted the seriousness of the crimes, but requested as little as two to three years. Montemayor’s attorneys say he was cooperating with an FBI investigation in December 2013, giving up names that could lead to future arrests. It was at that point he learned he was being investigated himself.
Judge Maria Garcia Marmolejo did not agree it was enough cooperation, saying he later refused to work with prosecutors or testify against others. The judge kept to the prosecution’s recommendation, sentencing Montemayor to six years and four months in prison.
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina Monday issued a statement, calling the situation unfortunate, calling for the county to move ahead, and offering cooperation to future investigations.
It is a very unfortunate situation, however I will continue to work to move this county forward in a positive light. Rest assured that Webb County will fully cooperate with the authorities on any and all matters.
Immediately after learning his sentence Montemaor was taken away by federal marshals to begin his term. That was after his own final words to the judge, starting in tears, apologizing for what he did, saying his family has been humiliated, and saying from now on he’ll work to put the past behind him.
In addition to his prison time Montemayor is ordered to return nearly $14,000 he was given in bribes by federal investigators.
He will also pay a fine of $109,000.
Those two bills combined makes $123,000, that’s the total amount Montemayor accepted in these 12 bribes.
Source: kgns
